ST. LOUIS — Clayton Kershaw is his own toughest critic and he sounded thoroughly unimpressed after pitching three innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.
“Felt alright, overall. Stuff wasn’t that great,” the Dodgers left-hander said. “But I did it, got through it. We’ll see how I feel tomorrow and go from there.”
Asked if rust from not pitching in a game since July 3 might explain his unsatisfactory grade, the three-time Cy Young Award winner didn’t let himself off the hook.
“I hope so,” he said. “Not sure.”
Kershaw pitched the planned three innings on his rehab visit to Oklahoma City, throwing 49 pitches. He allowed two runs on a home run by Albuquerque catcher Brian Severn, one of four hits Kershaw allowed while striking out three and walking none.
“I don’t think anybody loves doing rehab. The word rehab is not exactly great,” Kershaw said. “But obviously health (is the No. 1 priority). But performance too. You want to be good. So, stuff wasn’t that great tonight, like I said, but being back out there felt good and hopefully bounce back tomorrow okay, throw a good bullpen and get ready to go for whatever’s next.”
What could be next is a start for the Dodgers. Manager Dave Roberts raised that possibility over the weekend, depending on how Kershaw came out of his start Tuesday. Kershaw was traveling to St. Louis to rejoin the team Wednesday.
“I think that will be a discussion. Not sure,” Kershaw said. “I think I’ll get into St Louis tomorrow and talk with the guys, see what they want me to do. A lot of it is based on our rotation, what that looks like, different things like that. Obviously, I’m not built up for a full start yet so I think a lot of things are in consideration and we’ll see how it goes.”
PUJOLS ENCORE
After he was released by the Angels in May, the expectation was that Albert Pujols would catch on somewhere for a farewell tour before retiring this winter.
But the 41-year-old Pujols has performed well for the Dodgers as a role player. He has deferred any talk about his plans beyond this season and the likelihood of his playing another season seems to have grown. Count Roberts among those who expect Pujols to be on the field again in 2022.
“Only Albert knows,” Roberts said. “My guess is – not my guess, I know there is more in the tank. So my guess is he will continue to play. I know that he has poured into our organization immensely. It will have a lasting effect. We’re lucky to have had him. The fans have really embraced him. He’s felt that. The coaches and players the same. It’s been a love-fest I think from all angles with Albert being a Dodger.”
OUTFIELD MOVE
The Dodgers promoted Steven Souza Jr. from Triple-A Oklahoma City and sent Zach McKinstry back down.
With Pollock expected to miss two to three weeks with a hamstring injury, Souza could get playing time as a right-handed option in the outfield. In 13 games with the Dodgers earlier this season, Souza went 4 for 25 with a home run. He had an RBI double in three at-bats Tuesday.
ALSO
Right-hander Jake Jewell was claimed on waivers by the San Francisco Giants a week after the Dodgers claimed Jewell on waivers from the Chicago Cubs. Jewell made one appearance for OKC, pitching 2-1/3 scoreless innings. …
Left-hander Garrett Cleavinger was moved to the 60-day injured list and will not pitch again this season. Cleavinger has been out since Aug. 6 with a strained oblique on his right side. In 18 innings over 22 appearances with the Dodgers, he was 2-4 with a 3.00 ERA.
UP NEXT
Dodgers (TBA) at Cardinals (RHP Adam Wainwright, 14-7, 2.91 ERA), Wednesday, 4:45 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM